Graduate Assistant, Budget Operations (CDE)

Graduate Assistant Budget Operations (Center for Digital Equity)

The Graduate Assistant Budget Operations supports the Deputy Director in conducting essential budget, finance, and operational functions for the Center for Digital Equity (CDE). This role focuses heavily on monthly budget reconciliations, financial analysis, data collection, and data analysis to ensure accurate and timely fiscal reporting. The GA will also assist with operational processes that connect finance functions to the center's broader programmatic goals. This role will hone professional skills such as resolving problematic situations efficiently, displaying excellent communication skills and maintaining high levels of organization. This is a graduate assistant position reporting to the Deputy Director.

There is no expressed or implied commitment to a paid position upon completion of the graduate assistantship. This role is eligible for tuition remission for up to two courses per semester (that you are actively working as a Graduate Assistant) and a $1,500 stipend per semester. No housing is offered. This is a 1-year position. Many of the associated duties support and compliment the learning outcomes of students pursuing graduate programs in the McColl School of Business with particular relevance to the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Master of Science in Finance and Analytics (MSFA).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Analysis & Budget Management

The Graduate Assistant will learn core financial management skills and apply them in real operational contexts by:

• Supporting monthly budget reconciliations, learning how to verify transactions against approved budgets and resolve discrepancies in collaboration with the Deputy Director and at times the University's finance office.
• Collecting, organizing, and analyzing financial and operational data to understand how data informs strategic decision-making.
• Preparing and maintaining budget tracking documents, reports, and financial dashboards to practice real-world financial reporting.
• Assisting in the preparation of quarterly and annual financial summaries, gaining experience in communicating financial information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Conducting variance analysis to compare actual expenses to budgeted amounts, applying analytical techniques to identify trends or areas of concern.
• Contributing to the development of financial projections and forecasts, applying classroom concepts to real program and project scenarios.

Data Management & Visualization

The Graduate Assistant will develop technical and analytical competencies by:

• Gathering financial and operational data from internal teams and partners, learning best practices for data accuracy and formatting.
• Using Excel, Power BI, or similar tools to visualize budget and expense trends, strengthening data visualization and interpretation skills.
• Maintaining accurate records of financial transactions, grant expenditures, procurement transactions, and project budgets to build strong information-management habits.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance

The Graduate Assistant will apply communication and organizational skills through:

• Collaborating with CDE staff to align budget and procurement processes with project timelines and deliverables.
• Coordinating with the Deputy Director and at times University departments (finance, procurement, HR, etc.) to understand and apply institutional policies and compliance requirements.
• Supporting operational planning for events and initiatives by providing budgetary, cost-analysis, and logistical support.

Secondary Functions

The Graduate Assistant will have opportunities to expand their professional skill set by:

• Learning to identify and implement improvements to existing systems and business logic and creating process documentation and instructional materials.
• Serving as an office liaison with various University offices and committees, gaining experience in professional communication and representation.
• Practicing high-quality customer service with internal and external constituents.
• Applying knowledge of institutional policies to ensure compliance in daily operations.
• Contributing as a generalist across all areas of CDE business, promoting adaptability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Non-Essential Duties: Other duties and special projects may be assigned to meet department and/or university needs. These may include event logistic and inventory support.

Experience, Knowledge & Skills Relevant to Assistantship Role

• Current, full-time enrollment as a graduate student at Queens University of Charlotte.
• Experience or coursework in finance, accounting, budget management, or related field preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables, formulas, and data visualization) and familiarity with other data analysis tools (Power BI preferred).
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial data management.
• Ability to analyze and interpret budget and financial reports and present findings clearly.
• Strong communication skills, capable of handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Exceptional follow-up and follow-through skills as well as ability to plan, organize and control projects through to completion.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and contribute to a team environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, SharePoint, and the ability to learn university-specific finance and reporting software quickly.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive and equitable organizational environments.

Application Process

Does this sound like a good fit? Submit:

1. A cover letter addressing the position qualifications and experience
2. Current rsum
3. Contact information for three professional references.

Queens will accept applications until the position is filled.

About Queens University of Charlotte

Located in the heart of the nation's second fastest growing metropolitan area, Queens University of Charlotte leverages the city's diverse and thriving environment as an extended classroom. Nationally recognized for undergraduate programs in international and interdisciplinary education, Queens blends the best of liberal arts learning with professional preparation and community engagement. Focused on supporting success for diverse learners, faculty build close and collaborative relationships with students and help them build intentional and individualized roadmaps for flourishing at Queens and beyond. At the graduate program level, the University offers innovative educational experiences that help learners advance professionally and retool for new opportunities. Our environs afford faculty myriad opportunities to advance their own professional growth and teaching and research interests by collaborating with vibrant industry, non-profit, and community organization sectors.

Because of our history of innovation and our legacy of strong leadership, Queens is positioned to be among the new forerunners of American higher education. This is a defining moment for Queens. While other institutions are focused on sustaining and surviving, we are thinking much bigger.

Institutions that understand what is needed and are willing to reimagine what is possible can position themselves to thrive and strengthen their market position after the pandemic with innovative approaches that are deeply connected to the world and its greatest challenges.

By 2030, Queens aspires to become the leading, private, national university of Charlotte with deep, meaningful, and reciprocal connections to the needs of our local community and economy; inventive and multidisciplinary academic programs that are connected to the world's most pressing challenges and biggest areas of opportunity; a fully connected, integrated, and innovative set of experiences that support holistic wellness and wellbeing; a culture of continuous improvement and investment that enables faculty and staff to flourish and achieve their full potential; and a comprehensive approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion that begins on campus and radiates throughout the community.

Queens University of Charlotte aims to be a leading comprehensive university, distinguished by its commitment to transforming the lives of its students and enhancing the intellectual and cultural fabric of its community. Queens is a campus where diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. The mission of Queens is to provide transformative educational experiences that nurture intellectual curiosity, promote global understanding, encourage ethical living, and prepare individuals for purposeful and fulfilling lives. To this end, the University recruits talented faculty, staff, and students from across the United States and around the world. Queens encourages applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of other protected classes and historically minoritized communities. The University also invites applications from individuals who are prepared to provide a rich and varied educational experience to our increasingly diverse student body and to collaborate with colleagues to make Queens an equitable and inclusive place to live, learn, and work.

Queens works to provide an accessible living, learning, and working environment for current and prospective faculty, staff, and students and visitors to our campus. If there are accommodations, we can provide to make your application process more accessible, please contact the Director of Human Resources (hr@queens.edu, 704-337-2297). The position duties and responsibilities listed above should be able to be completed with or without reasonable accommodations. HR works in partnership with employees to manage the workplace accommodations process.